Deann Ayer is the Founding Executive Director of College & Career Connections.  Drawing on 15 years of experience in education, youth ministry, and community outreach, Deann founded College & Career Connections in 2006 to ensure students from Wards 7 and 8 have the motivation, knowledge, and skills they need to complete high school and pursue post-secondary education.

Prior to building CCC, Deann served as the Benning Terrace Program Coordinator for East of the River Clergy, Police, Community Partnership, where she formed relationships with youth, families, and community partners in Ward 7 that laid the foundation for CCC. Deann’s professional experience also includes running a GED program at Gospel Rescue Ministries, coordinating adult programming at Washington Community Fellowship Church, and teaching elementary school. She earned a B.A. in Marketing, Communication, and Sociology at the University of Arizona; an elementary education certificate from Point Loma Nazarene University; and an M.A. in Christian Education/Youth Ministry from Bethel Theological Seminary. Deann now lives in her hometown of San Diego, California and supports College & Career Connections from the West Coast.